The Madonnas: La Luz- Part 1

 The Madonna: A New Beginning

Symbolism has always been at the heart of my art. I find myself drawn to the stories, textures, and hidden meanings that weave themselves into each piece I create. Recently, I’ve felt a clear calling to begin a new series: The Madonna.

The first stage of this journey begins with sculpting the head—a quiet, intimate process where form emerges from silence. Just as important as the figure itself is the fabric that will embrace it.

For this Madonna Series, I am turning to the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Juan Diego. His cloak, made of humble corn husk, carried within it the miraculous image of the Virgin—a reminder of faith, humility, and transformation.

For my Madonnas, I have chosen a vintage linen threaded with gold. The delicate shimmer of gold woven through the fabric catches the light, illuminating the features and infusing the piece with both reverence and radiance. I hope this combination of story, symbol, and fabric will bring forth a Madonna that feels both timeless and alive.

Vintage linen was dyed to a deeper skin tone!

This is only the beginning of the series, but already I feel the threads of history, faith, and symbolism guiding my hands.

 La Luz

As I continue to shape this series, I wish to draw on my Spanish heritage, enriching it with my love of symbolism. The next vision has revealed itself: Madonna of the Light — La Luz.

Light itself is a symbol of divine presence, of guidance, of the unseen made visible. In this Madonna, I am bringing forth the imagery of the moth—delicate, instinctive, and ever drawn to the flame. The moth teaches us trust. She does not question the light; she moves toward it with certainty, knowing she will be sustained, knowing all will be provided for her.

This small creature becomes a reminder of faith and surrender. Just as Juan Diego’s humble cloak bore the miraculous image, the moth shows us that even the most fragile beings are sustained by light. In La Luz, the gold-threaded linen will carry this symbolism, catching illumination as though the figure herself glows from within—an eternal flame calling us closer.

The Madonna of the Light is not only a figure to behold, but a story of trust: that when we follow the light, even through the shadows, we are guided toward what we need most.

Head sculpted and covered in the linen: 

hand-tinted and painted features

More to come! Stay Tuned!
xoxo
Leslie

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